Synopsis

She wants out, but destiny has other plans . . .

Thirteen-year-old Maia sets out denying the existence of her turncoat mother and ends up finding out a truth that makes her wish her mother was just that–a treacherous double-crosser she could hate. Because sometimes, knowing a hero can be more terrifying than knowing a villain. And being part of a lofty cause can come at a terrible price.

About the Author

S.G. Basu is an aspiring potentate of a galaxy or two. She plots and plans with wondrous machines, cybernetic robots, time travelers and telekinetic adventurers, some of whom escape into the pages of her books. Books have been an important part of Ms. Basu’s life. Even before she had learned to read on her own, she spent hours wandering in the stories her mother read to her. Soon enough, she was weaving a tapestry of magical tales of her own. Once upon a previous life on planet Earth, S.G. Basu trained to be an engineer, and her interest in science and her love of engineering shows up time and again in her books. She shares her home with a large collection of Legos, a patient husband, and resident inspiration and entertainer, her daughter.

Interview

Describe your relationship with a good book.

A good book is one that endears and endures. A good book is fun to read no matter how many times it has been read. A good book ages well too. No matter how old you grow, the book appeals, revealing more and more with each read. One of my favorites is Frank Herbert’s Dune. It was magical when I first read it in grade school and it still is as wonderful.

When did you first start writing and what was the first thing that you wrote that you were proud of?

While I took to serious writing only in 2008, have enjoyed writing since I was a child. Back when I was in middle school, we were assigned classwork to write an original skit on Don Quixote. So I did. My English teacher, who was (in)famous for being hard to please, was so impressed with my piece that she recommended it for publication in the school magazine. Thinking that she saw so much potential in something I wrote on the fly, makes my heart swell even now.

Please describe your work ethic as an author.

Creating a challenging but sustainable work ethic is very important for a writer, particularly for an indie like me. Here are my top three codes:

– Have a dedicated writing time: When writing was simply a hobby, I wrote in spurts. Obviously, my productivity was definitely nowhere near what it is now. Now, I write and do other writing related work for at least 5 hours every day, five days a week. I stay extremely focused during the weekdays. By design, I take my weekends easy.
– Create daily, weekly, monthly, yearly targets: I have a list of writing related things to do each day and I finish them each day. This is over and above the 250 words minimum that I have to write every day. I have a list of goals that scale up from these daily targets to up to a year. Having clear goals works like a miracle.
– Keep your resolutions: This almost goes without saying, but is the hardest of the three. It’s easy to make resolutions, but a far difficult job keeping them. As an indie author, it is hard to keep up with the unending barrage of tasks, but I always finish what I start. Not only does that help me attain my goals, but also gives me that boost of confidence every authorpreneur like me is always seeking.

How do you balance your work as an author with the other aspects of your life?

It’s a constant battle with the clock, I multitask like I never thought was possible. I’m an indie writer who is just starting out, and just like it is for any start up, the amount of work I have to put in is enormous. Since I also enjoy raising my young family, I try to be extremely focused when I’m working. That way, my time with my family or my own “playtime” is always a solid chunk of quality time. It has taken a lot of practice, but I’m getting better at creating “the zone” around me at the snap of a finger, rather than waiting for the right time or the right place.

Why did you write this book?

It was sometime in the early 2000’s that I was let down by the ending of a favorite series. The fangirl in me was heartbroken. She thought the ending denied the series a loftier, more perfect conclusion that it clearly deserved.

After a few weeks, the fangirl calmed down and I realized something. I realized that while I had the right to be dismayed, the author had the right to end his/her story in whichever way he/she pleased. If I really wanted to have a world created in a way that I found perfect, I would have to create it myself, and not seek it in works of others.

The following day, during my lunch break, I started what you could call a “disappointed-fan’s-fiction.” I wrote four paragraphs in which my two central characters meet for the first time. By that evening I had completed a chapter, and by the end of that week I had an outline for the whole story. I had embarked on an epic journey, a science fiction book series of five parts—The Lightbound Saga.

What experiences from your past do you find yourself drawing upon repeatedly for inspiration in your work?

Every life experience finds its way out through a writer’s words. For me, the biggest influence has been the diverse cultures I’ve been fortunate to observe up close. I love to travel and the places I’ve seen and the people I’ve met help me weave the tapestries of my stories.

What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years, both as an author and in your outside life?

As an author, I hope to create a vast amount of content by then, maybe publish 30 or so books. I also hope to have increased grip on marketing myself and my work.

Outside my writing life, I want to travel to new places, visit the couple continents that I’ve never set foot on. Mostly though, I want to be an even better Mom.

Since you are a storyteller, please tell one good lie about yourself.

I used to work in a TV news crew. Then I crashed their helicopter. Now they won’t let me get anywhere near their fleet or anyone else’s. How long do you think they’ll hold on to their grudge? Two years? Five, maybe?

Be sure to check out the other books in The Lightbound Saga!

Excerpt

Three Cylopedes burst into the cave, blinding her with their blazing white lights. A trio of figures alighted from the crafts.

“We finally caught up with you,” Karhann roared.

“And look . . .” There was no mistaking Loriine’s lazy, pampered voice. “The gate is still open for taking.”

The third person did not speak, but Maia knew it was Yoome. The quiet girl had helped them once, but if anyone could help Maia now, it would have to be herself.

“I hope you’re not going to try to stop us,” Karhann said. “You see, there isn’t much point in you fighting all three of us.”

Maia gripped Bellator tightly by the hilt and pulled it out. She had to keep fighting to protect the entrance until the communicators worked again so she could call for help.

“The midget dares to challenge us,” Loriine sneered.

There was a raspy sound of weapons being drawn and cautious footfalls as her opponents stepped closer.

“Are we allowed to fight three to one?” Yoome spoke, forever the voice of hope.

No one replied. Maia tried hard to recall that code of honorable combat, and then figured that it did not matter anyway. For even if she did remember, this bunch was not going to listen to her when they chose to ignore Yoome’s question. She backed up against the half-closed gate, Bellator firmly clutched in her hands. As she stepped away from the glare of the headlights, she could see them more clearly. Loriine stood to the left holding a whip sword, its tip skimming the stone floor. Karhann stood next to Loriine holding a basket-hilt broadsword. On the right stood Yoome, both hands clasping a long, tapered pole that was studded all over with small spikes.

The first blow came from Loriine, surprising Maia a little. The whip sword lashed out like a dragon’s tongue and danced dangerously close to her left arm.